Katharine M. Grosscup Scholarships in Horticulture
Scholarship Sponsored by Garden Club of America
Purpose
The Katharine M. Grosscup Scholarships in Horticulture exist to promote the study and research of horticulture and closely related disciplines.
Who may apply
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who will be enrolled at a U.S.-based college or university located in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia. Eligible students are those who will be rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, or master’s candidates in the fall of 2026 and who are majoring in horticulture or a related field. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 is expected.
Award information
Scholarship awards are paid directly to recipients to support their education and research, with awards up to $3,500. Recipients may request funding for a second year; any award in a subsequent year is limited to a maximum of $1,000.
Selection process and timeline
Applications are reviewed, interviewed, and chosen by the Katharine M. Grosscup Scholarship Committee based in Cleveland, Ohio. Final selections must receive approval from The Garden Club of America (GCA) Scholarship Committee. Interviews for this cycle will be held in early February 2026.
Background
The Grosscup Scholarships were established in 1981 by Margaret Evans Berdan of the Garden Club of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in memory of her friend Katharine MacConnell Grosscup — a devoted gardener, conservation advocate, and member of the Shaker Lakes Garden Club (Ohio). Elizabeth Evans, Mrs. Berdan’s sister-in-law and a member of the Garden Club of Cleveland, served as the first chair of the scholarship committee. Today the Katharine M. Grosscup Scholarship Committee is administered jointly by three members of the Shaker Lakes Garden Club and three members of the Garden Club of Cleveland.
How to apply
Complete the application and submit all required materials either electronically or by mail. Applications must be received at GCA Headquarters in New York City by January 15, 2026.
Important restriction
Only one GCA scholarship, fellowship, or award may be applied for in any given year.
Contact information
The Garden Club of America
Attn: Scholarship Applications
14 East 60th Street
New York, NY 10022-1006
Phone: 212-753-8287
Email: grosscupscholarship@gmail.com and scholarshipapplications@gcamerica.org